By Raymond Ibrahim
Days before the recent Israel/Hamas conflict erupted, the Presbyterian Church in America [Presbyterian Church USA] withdrew $21 million worth in investments from Israel because, as spokesman Heath Rada put it, the Israeli government’s actions “harm the Palestinian people.”
Soon after, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” and was asked if he was “troubled” by the Presbyterian Church’s move. Netanyahu responded:
It should trouble all people of conscience and morality because it’s so disgraceful. You know, you look at what’s happening in the Middle East and I think most Americans understand this, they see this enormous area riveted by religious hatred, by savagery of unimaginable proportions. Then you come to Israel and you see the one democracy that upholds basic human rights, that guards the rights of all minorities, that protects Christians—Christians are persecuted throughout the Middle East. So most Americans understand that Israel is a beacon of civilization and moderation. You know I would suggest to these Presbyterian organizations to fly to the Middle East, come and see Israel for the embattled democracy that it is, and then take a bus tour, go to Libya, go to Syria, go to Iraq, and see the difference. And I would give them two pieces of advice, one is, make sure it’s an armor plated bus, and second, don’t say that you’re Christians.
It’s difficult—if not impossible—to argue with Netanyahu’s logic. Indeed, several points made in his one-minute response are deserving of some reflection.
First, the obvious: why is it that self-professed Christians completely ignore the horrific Islamic persecution of fellow Christians in the Middle East, while grandstanding against the Jewish state for trying to defend itself against the same ideology that persecutes Christians?
Editor’s Note: The actions taken and referred to in this article are those of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
10 Comments. Leave new
This is just post-modern cultural accommodation by a formerly mainline, now sideline denomination that has no understanding of the real world. They are driven by political correctness and feel good ideology. I would like to see their answer to some simple questions such as this: If a terroristic force hides among civilian women and children while launching armed attacks upon a legitimate state, who is really responsible for the deaths of those civilians when the state defends itself?
I would remind the ACSW and their fellow travelers of this thought by John Stuart Mills: “War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.”
When the very first sentence of a post is a blatant lie, it is hard to read the rest of it: “withdrew $21 million worth in investments from Israel”???? Why is it that self-professing Christians resort to bearing false witness if there is merit to their argument? One has to suspect that either the truth does really support condemnation, or that their motifs really lie elsewhere.
Well said Mr. Yearsley
John,
Please make sure that you have the right denomination. There is a world of difference between the PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) to which I belong and the PCUSA (Presbyterian Church).
The PCA doesn’t, as far as I know, endorse any of the liberal actions the PCUSA GA took.
Thanks,
Joe
Press reports announce that Mosul, held by the jihadis of the ISIS, aka the “Caliphate”, has expelled all Christians unwilling to convert to Islam or embrace status as dhimmi, with death promised to any remaining after the end of the brief period in which flight is offered as an option. Those fleeing are reportedly being stripped of all possessions and told to proceed on foot, penniless, by jihadi gunman.
Please report any and all statements released by the Office of the Stated Clerk and others of high standing in the Presbyterian pecking order concerning this matter.
The response from establishment sources of news concerning the Presbyterian Church so far has been muted concerning this matter.
AD INTERIM, I urge prayer for the protection of all believers from that unhappy city.
With concern for those in Iraq and curiosity concerning our teaching elders’ stance.
Matt Hayball, lifelong Presbyterian layman.
PCUSA has a very long well documented history (as recently as June of this year, quoted below) of lack of concern for basic Biblical truths, including the Ten Commandments, many other basic truths. anyone who still believes the PCUSA, including all of it’s recent spin offs, is qualified to speak as a moral authority in public is sadly mistaken. Netanyahu is most likely well aware of this. very telling that he refers to PCUSA in totality as “these Presbyterian organizations”. he doesn’t refer to it as a church, or even a Christian organization. the drape has at last been dropped, the PCUSA is being revealed for what it truly is. although many are trying to distance themselves from this truth, now that it’s been made public, unless the splinter groups do a total about face, address many of their sins of omission (countless years, decades in fact, of turning a blind eye) none of the public proclamations coming out of PCUSA and it’s offspring can be seriously discussed. it’s the equivalent of listening to a demented relative, these are nothing more than the outpourings of a sick collective brain.
“The measure that was brought before the General Assembly for consideration but ultimately failed, reads as follows:
1. Call for the Presbyterian Mission Agency and member congregations to enter a two-year season of reflection upon the plight of children unwanted by human society, both born and not-yet born; and to purposefully seek to enter the pure worship of God by offering aid, comfort and the Gospel to those responsible for the care of our most desperate orphans (including those who survive abortion procedures): parents, siblings, church and community leaders and the medical profession.
2. Direct the moderator of the General Assembly and the stated clerk to issue statements that denounce the practice of killing babies born live following an abortion procedure, such as was revealed in the Dr. Kermit Gosnell clinic in Philadelphia.
3. Direct the moderator to appoint a special committee on abortion review, carefully balanced with members representing both pro-life and pro-choice viewpoints to:
a. Conduct a thorough assessment of the financial, in-kind, lodgment, publicity and staff support that the PC (USA) provides to organizations such as Planned Parenthood, Presbyterians Affirming Reproductive Options, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and other abortion providers or pro-choice organizations. A similar review should be made of denominational support provided for pro-life organizations and pro-life crisis-pregnancy support centers.
b. Review existing policies and, if needed, propose new policies that will more accurately represent the PC(USA) in its breadth of conviction about abortion, taking into account our churches’ desire to worship God in purest form (James 1:27). Any new policies shall incorporate more fully the voices of pro-life Presbyterians, who have to this point largely been kept silent in denominational advocacy.”
The pcusa is becoming the left wing propaganda machine for Hamas following their lead from mslsd, that is pmsnbc, escuse me, that is msnbc. In the delusional mind of the apostate pcusa, Israel can do no right while Hamas can do no wrong. To the morons running the pcusa, your day of judgement is around the corner, and the Lake of Fire will be your new home. Enjoy.
Send the apostates to Mosul, and let us see what the pcusa can do for the people of Mosul.
Joe,
“Please make sure that you have the right denomination. There is a world of difference between the PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) to which I belong and the PCUSA (Presbyterian Church).
The PCA doesn’t, as far as I know, endorse any of the liberal actions the PCUSA GA took.
Thanks,”
Joe
My mistake, and I made the correction with your forgiveness. Blessings.
Johyn
Linda Valentine, As a Jewish person who is familiar in the Middle East I warned the Presbyterian church that the enemy is not Israel, not the Jews but radical Islam. Instead you did put your energy in BDS which is anti Semitic showing the world that hate of Jews is OK. Worse, you took your eyes off the plight of your brothers and sisters the plight of Christians in every Muslim country. You ignored what Sharia racist practices are and fell into the web of Hamas/Palestinian propaganda. The on going genocide of Christians in Syria and Iraq is in a higher pace and you are accepting it. No demonstrations or congress meetings. You have no mission, only selfish political posture which calls for destruction of Israel and accepting Jew killings. The Presbyterian Church so eager to BDS Israel did not say a word about the genocide of Christians: 500 women and children were buried alive by ISIS and the nice Presbyterians worry about BDS. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?